Paradise Couple Arraigned in Daughter's Death

By: Linda Watkins-Bennett

The Paradise couple accused of beating their seven year old daughter to death barely glanced at each other during their arraignment Tuesday afternoon.

Kevin and Elizabeth Schatz were formally charged Tuesday with one count of homicide, for the death of their adoptive daughter. They are also charged with torture, in connection with the severe beating of the girl's eleven year old sister. And they face a misdemeanor count of child abuse, involving their ten year old son.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey wants the two tried together, saying they are equally accountable for "crossing the line" in disciplining their children, "It's very sad, and tragic for everyone involved. What we look at also, is the eight surviving children."

Elizabeth Schatz was appointed a public defender. Michael O. Harvey is representing Kevin Schatz, "At this juncture I have no idea of the facts other than what was read in court. We're asking people of faith to pray for everyone involved in this tragedy."

Mike Ramsey says the seven year old was beaten with a strap, for mispronouncing the word "pulled" during home schooling.

The Schatz' are being held on $2,003,000 bail each. They are scheduled to be back in court February 11th to enter pleas.

Meanwhile, the injured eleven year old girl remains in critical condition at U.C. Davis Medical center, but she is expected to survive. Ramsey says her kidneys failed Monday, so she has been placed on dialysis.